Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Affiliations
Othercorecompetencies
Privatepractice
Hobbies and Interests
Admissions
Volunteer Experience
Timeline
Hi, I’m

Melissa Livingston

Brooklyn,New York
Melissa Livingston

Summary

Dedicated court attorney with 11+ years of legal experience in the NYS Unified Court System. Skilled at legal research and writing, training and development, advocacy, and fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. An honest, motivated, loyal, and committed public servant with a strong work ethic who loves process and firmly believes in providing equal access to justice for all. Lifelong learner with the ability to relate to and work with all stakeholders in the legal process, including administrative staff, court officers, attorneys, litigants, and New York State judges. Believes in helping others, volunteer work, community outreach, and mentorship. Accomplished Attorney offering Number-year record of supporting clients in legal matters. Communicates clearly and effectively with clients, opposing counsel, jurors and judges. Adept at developing lasting professional relationships. Attorney adept at developing positive rapport with clients. Presents evidence clearly and practices sound and thorough case analysis techniques. Dedicated legal professional offering expertise in Type law. Proven success in building trusting rapport with clients and offering sound legal advice in clear and universal terms. Hardworking and dedicated to client advocacy. Astute Job Title provides legal counsel and support to clients. Skilled in researching and interpreting legal documents, resolving disputes and successfully negotiating settlements. Handles multiple tasks, prioritizes efficiently and meets tight deadlines. Effective law professional with proven track record of successfully representing clients in court, developing legal strategies and drafting and negotiating contracts. Well-versed in principles of family law, civil litigation and criminal law. Works independently and collaboratively as part of team. Persuasive expert analyzes complex legal issues, formulates legal arguments and provides sound advice on wide range of topics. Adept at navigating legal systems, leveraging resources and communicating with clients. Thorough understanding of precedents and regulations. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Hardworking and passionate job seeker with strong organizational skills eager to secure entry-level Job Title position. Ready to help team achieve company goals. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. To seek and maintain full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Hardworking and passionate job seeker with strong organizational skills eager to secure entry-level [Job Title] position. Ready to help team achieve company goals. Pursuing full-time role that presents professional challenges and leverages interpersonal skills, effective time management, and problem-solving expertise. Results-oriented achiever with proven ability to exceed targets and drive success in fast-paced environments. Combines strategic thinking with hands-on experience to deliver impactful solutions and enhance organizational performance.

Overview

12
years of professional experience
1

TEFL 120-hr certification

1

CPR certified

Work History

NEW YORK STATE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM

Associate Court Attorney to Judge, Hon. Pamela Patton Fynes
03.2024 - Current

Job overview

  • Work in NYC Civil Court, Kings County.

NEW YORK STATE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM

Associate Court Attorney to Judge, Hon. David A. Harris
01.2023 - 01.2024

Job overview

  • Work in NYC Civil Court, Housing Part, Kings County
  • Conference, negotiate, and resolve a high volume of landlord-tenant nonpayment and holdover proceedings, in addition to alleged illegal lockout cases
  • Handle up to 60 cases daily in the Resolution Part
  • Partner with social service agencies to accommodate low-income populations, tenants facing mental health issues, and tenants that require Guardians Ad Litem
  • Expediously make APS Referrals and contact other relevant social service agencies
  • Review post-eviction Orders to Show Cause and Orders to Show Cause to vacate, restore, and relieve counsel
  • Write legal decisions on current housing law issues, including ERAP, subsidized housing, succession rights, warranty of habitability, striking jury demands, motions to dismiss, summary judgment, and to compel discovery in summary proceedings
  • Draft and review stipulations of settlement involving pro se litigants.

NEW YORK STATE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM

Counsel to Supervising Administrative Judge, Hon. Tamiko Amaker
01.2022 - 01.2023

Job overview

  • Advised the Supervising Judge of NYC Criminal Courts Citywide, supervising court attorneys and staff on the intricacies of legal statutes
  • Researched, wrote, and presented memos summarizing changes to groundbreaking legal statutes in the areas of bail reform, gun initiatives, and Less is More legislation
  • Collaborated with colleagues to develop a grant proposal in partnership with the Office of Court Administration expanding mental health court assessment services to prioritize service provision over jail time for individuals charged with misdemeanors, shoplifting, or sex trafficking, including those with histories of PTSD and domestic violence
  • Managed five supervising court attorneys and their staff of 72 court attorneys
  • Engaged staff at all levels, including those with a long tenure in the court system, in an inclusive, approachable manner
  • Headed the court attorney subcommittee on the anti-bias and equal justice task force for the NYC Criminal Courts, working alongside attorneys who personally represent every category within the DEI spectrum
  • Investigated and advocated for changes to the court system to better serve underrepresented litigants, such as adding multilingual signage, informational kiosks, and handicap-accessible railings
  • Proposed revamping the complaint form and associated procedures for courthouse employees and litigants
  • Moderated and organized citywide seminars of 300+ attendees, including criminal court judges, court attorneys, and clerks using MS Teams
  • Seminar topics included breaking laws on bail reform, gun initiatives, mental health courts, and judicial wellness
  • Organized the entire weekend/holiday arraignment schedule for 400+ judges using logic, leadership, and empathy to determine the optimal arrangement for everyone involved.

NEW YORK STATE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM

Principal Court Attorney to Judge, Hon. Melissa A. Crane
01.2013 - 01.2021

Job overview

  • Court Attorney to Supreme Court Judge Hon
  • Melissa Crane for nine years as she advanced through the NYS Courts, providing expert assistance on commercial, civil, matrimonial, criminal law, and procedural matters
  • Led 10+ high-level discovery conferences per day of 35+ attorneys focused on areas of commercial law, including commercial and contract law
  • Reviewed 1,000+ pages/day and wrote two significant and legally nuanced decisions per week
  • Refereed and resolved commercial disputes, made discovery rulings, interacted with the press, and helped with oral arguments
  • Drafted a high volume of no-fault insurance decisions, putting Judge Crane in the top 3% of judges in clearing out their docket backlog
  • Supervised and managed other court attorneys' work product and mentored many interns
  • Achieved a 75% compliance rate for pre-trial cases to meet Standards and Goals
  • Drafted decisions on complex motions, including contract law, Article 78 proceedings, FOIL Requests, and motions to confirm arbitration awards
  • Thoroughly reviewed 50+ uncontested divorce proceedings per week
  • Drafted decisions on motions to dismiss and summary judgment
  • Gained a profound understanding of commercial real estate, construction litigation, forum selection clauses, small claims court, name changes, commercial landlord-tenant law, RPAPL scaffolding laws, and labor disputes
  • Reviewed 50+ DWI cases/day
  • Researched/drafted memoranda on various criminal law issues, including facial insufficiency and speedy trial.

PRIVATE PRACTICE

Associate Attorney at the Law Offices of Melissa Betancourt, P.C.
01.2011 - 01.2012

Job overview

  • Won 80% of no-fault insurance cases at a firm specializing in medical provider clients
  • Drafted 10-12 procedural and substantive motions per day
  • Managed and delegated to a team of 10-12 paralegals
  • Committed to representing clients with the utmost professionalism and dedication, delivering exceptional legal services, and achieving favorable client outcomes.

Education

BROOKLYN LAW SCHOOL
Brooklyn, NY

Juris Doctor
01.2011

University Overview

  • Brooklyn Law Students for the Public Interest ("BLSPI")
  • Asian Pacific Law Students Association ("APALSA")
  • Safe Harbor Project
  • Legal Outreach

VASSAR COLLEGE
Poughkeepsie, NY

Bachelor of Arts in English
01.2008

University Overview

  • Minor: Asian Studies
  • Varsity Tennis
  • Asian Students Alliance ("ASA")

Skills

  • Legal: Litigation
  • Writer
  • Organized
  • Multitasking
  • Landlord-Tenant Law
  • Summary Proceedings
  • Commercial Law
  • Corporate Governance
  • Contracts
  • Commercial Real Estate
  • Construction
  • No-Fault Insurance
  • Article 78 Special Proceedings
  • Matrimonial and Family
  • Employment Discrimination
  • Labor Law
  • Discovery Rules
  • CPLR
  • RPAPL
  • Federal Rules
  • Depositions
  • Settlement, Discovery, and Pretrial Court Conferencing
  • Public Service
  • Negotiation
  • Trial Experience
  • Courtroom Familiarity
  • Legal Writing
  • Legal Research
  • Drafting Pleadings
  • Motion Practice
  • Working with Pro Se Litigants
  • Arbitration
  • Relationship building
  • Positive role model and mentor
  • Public speaking
  • Conflict resolution
  • Collaborative learning
  • Child development
  • Curriculum implementation
  • Learning strategies
  • Cooperative learning experience
  • Community involvement
  • Cultural sensitivity
  • Special needs students
  • Literacy development
  • Serving diverse communities
  • ESL- english as second language
  • Alternative dispute resolution training
  • Fundraising
  • Empathy and patience
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Task prioritization
  • Educational activities
  • Digital literacy
  • Family involvement
  • IEP planning

Affiliations

Affiliations
  • NYC Bar Association: Member, Minorities in the Court Committee | Member, Housing Court Committee
  • NYSBA: Member, Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Section
  • Asian American Bar Association of New York ("AABANY")
  • National Asian Pacific American Bar Association ("NAPABA")
  • Brooklyn Bar Association ("BBA")
  • Brooklyn Women's Bar Association ("BWBA")

Othercorecompetencies

Othercorecompetencies
  • Leadership
  • Management
  • Supervision
  • Training
  • Skill Development
  • Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion
  • Policy
  • Advocacy
  • Analytical Skills
  • MS Teams
  • Scheduling
  • Computer Literacy
  • Employee Benefits
  • Event Planning
  • Fundraising
  • Advertising
  • Grants
  • Multitasking
  • Westlaw
  • Technical and Creative Writing
  • ESL, ELA, and Legal English Tutoring
  • Lesson Planning
  • Classroom Management
  • Tennis Coach
  • Career and Resume Counseling

Privatepractice

Privatepractice
Law Offices of Melissa Betancourt, P.C., Associate Attorney, 2011, 2012, Civil Litigation: Won 80% of no-fault insurance cases at a firm specializing in medical provider clients. Drafted 10-12 procedural and substantive motions per day. Managed and delegated to a team of 10-12 paralegals. Committed to representing clients with the utmost professionalism and dedication, delivering exceptional legal services, and achieving favorable client outcomes.

Hobbies and Interests

Hobbies and Interests
  • Running marathons
  • Critical race studies
  • Tennis and hiking
  • Tutoring non-native English speakers
  • Grammar nerd
  • Lifelong New Yorker
  • Single mother
  • DEI proponent

Admissions

Admissions
  • New York, 2nd Dept
  • Southern District of New York (SDNY), Federal Bar

Volunteer Experience

Volunteer Experience
  • Part 137 Fee Dispute Resolution, Arbitrator
  • New York City Civil Court, Equal Justice Implementation Kings County subcommittee member
  • Small claims arbitrator
  • Board member - Montessori Day of Brooklyn
  • Class parent liaison.
  • Meet the writer - PS 321

Timeline

Associate Court Attorney to Judge, Hon. Pamela Patton Fynes
NEW YORK STATE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM
03.2024 - Current
Associate Court Attorney to Judge, Hon. David A. Harris
NEW YORK STATE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM
01.2023 - 01.2024
Counsel to Supervising Administrative Judge, Hon. Tamiko Amaker
NEW YORK STATE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM
01.2022 - 01.2023
Principal Court Attorney to Judge, Hon. Melissa A. Crane
NEW YORK STATE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM
01.2013 - 01.2021
Associate Attorney at the Law Offices of Melissa Betancourt, P.C.
PRIVATE PRACTICE
01.2011 - 01.2012
BROOKLYN LAW SCHOOL
Juris Doctor
VASSAR COLLEGE
Bachelor of Arts in English
Melissa Livingston